Boston Marathon bombings elicit mixed response

Though condemning the Boston Marathon bombings in which 3 people were killed and more than 100 wounded, Iran also criticized U.S. drone attacks in the Middle East. Some online Jihadis expressed happiness over the Boston attack. [Wikimedia Common/Aaron Tang photo]

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned Monday’s terrorist bombings at the Boston Marathon, but at the same time used the issue as a platform to express anger at U.S. drone attacks in the Middle East. In addition, commenters on some online jihadi forums expressed happiness about the Boston attack.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, which follows the logic of Islam, is opposed to any bombings and killings of innocent people,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Iranian military leaders, the Associated Press reported. Khamenei added, "What kind of logic is this that if children and women are killed by Americans in Afghanistan and Pakistan and by U.S.-backed terrorists in Iraq and Syria is not a problem, but if a bombing happens in the U.S. or another Western country, the whole world should pay the cost?"

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), online jihadi comments on the Boston Marathon bombings have varied from postings that present the now broadly seen photo of a young man with both legs blown off as the “best image from Boston explosions,” to those calling the attack “great news,” to those that wish to burden the U.S. with many such attacks so that the country will collapse.

Israeli leaders, meanwhile, have expressed their condolences to the U.S. over the Boston attack.

"We send our condolences to President [Barack] Obama, the American people and the bereaved families," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "On this day and on any day, Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with the American people."

Israeli President Shimon Peres said, "At times like these we are all one family. We feel one with those families who have paid such a heavy price."